Apparatus for processing substrate and method of cleaning same

ABSTRACT

Provided is an apparatus for processing a substrate including a spin head on which a substrate is placed, a container provided to surround the spin head, an upper nozzle member supplying a processing solution downwards, a bottom cleaning member located to be a certain distance from the bottom of the spin head, wherein the bottom cleaning member sprays a cleaning solution to the bottom of the spin head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119 of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2013-0104070, filed onAug. 30, 2013, and 10-2013-0165407, filed on Dec. 27, 2013, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed herein relates to a substrate processingdevice and a method of cleaning the same.

Semiconductor processes include processes of etching or cleaning a thinfilm, a foreign material, or a particle on a wafer. These processes areperformed in such a manner that a wafer is placed on a spin head, apatterned side up, the spin head is rotated at a high speed, and thus aprocessing solution is supplied onto the wafer. The processing solutionused for processing a substrate may remain in a component such as a spinhead, even after the processing of the substrate is completed. Also, aby-product due to the chemical reaction between different processingsolutions may be attached to the spin head. Such a remaining processingsolution and the by-product cause the defects of the substrate to beprocessed later.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a substrate processing apparatus and amethod of cleaning the same that may clean a spin head and a container.

Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses for processinga substrate including: a spin head on which a substrate is placed; acontainer provided to surround the spin head; an upper nozzle membersupplying a processing solution downwards; a bottom cleaning memberlocated to be a certain distance from the bottom of the spin head,wherein the bottom cleaning member sprays a cleaning solution to thebottom of the spin head.

In some embodiments, the bottom cleaning member may include: a supportarm located to be a certain distance from the bottom of the spin head;and a first cleaning nozzle provided on the support arm to face thebottom of the spin head.

In other embodiments, the bottom cleaning member may further include asecond cleaning nozzle that is provided on the support arm to be locatedon the central part of the spin head with respect to the first cleaningnozzle.

In still other embodiments, the bottom cleaning member may furtherinclude: a second support arm located to be a certain distance from thebottom of the spin head, wherein the second support arm is shorten thanthe support arm; and a second cleaning nozzle provided on the secondarysupport arm to be closer to the central part of the spin head than thefirst cleaning nozzle.

In even other embodiments, the spin head may include: a body on whichthe substrate is placed; a chuck pin installed on the body to protrudeupwards from the body; and a chuck pin moving unit connected to thelower part of the chuck pin to drive the chuck pin.

In yet other embodiments, the body may include a pin hole located to becapable of moving the chuck pin, and a lower hole connected to the pinhole, the pin hole being formed on the top of the body and the lowerhole being formed on the lower part of the body.

In further embodiments, the distance between the first cleaning nozzleand the central axis of the spin head may be equal to the distancebetween the lower hole and the central axis of the spin head.

In still further embodiments, the body may include a through holeconnected to the pin hole and the lower hole, the through hole beingformed on a side of the body.

In other embodiments of the present invention, methods of cleaning aapparatus include: spraying a cleaning solution, from a location havinga certain distance form the bottom of a spin head rotatably placed in acontainer having an open top, to the bottom of a spin head, to clean asalt attached to the bottom of the spin head.

In some embodiments, the spraying of the cleaning solution may beperformed while a substrate is placed on the spin head.

In other embodiments, the spraying of the cleaning solution may beperformed when the spin head rotates.

In still other embodiments, the spraying of the cleaning solution may beperformed simultaneously on locations which have different radii fromthe central part of the spin head.

In even other embodiments, the methods may further include supplying arinse solution downwards to the top of the spin head to perform cleaningon the top of the spin head and the container together.

In yet other embodiments, the rinse solution may be supplied to alocation deviating from the central part of the spin head.

In further embodiments, the spin head alternately may rotate indifferent directions while the rinse solution is supplied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present invention, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the present invention. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plane view of a substrate processing apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a substrate processingapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view of a container;

FIG. 4 is a plane view of a spin head;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plane view of a shaft housing portion while a spin head isseparated;

FIG. 7 shows enlarged views of portion Z of FIG. 5 and a bottom cleaningmember placed thereunder;

FIG. 8 represents when a cleaning solution is sprayed form a bottomcleaning member;

FIGS. 9 to 11 represent when a rinse-solution supply nozzle cleans aspin head and a container; and

FIG. 12 represents a shaft housing on which a bottom cleaning memberaccording to another embodiment is provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are described below in more detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of thepresent invention may be implemented in many forms, and it should not beconstrued that the scope of the present invention is limited to thefollowing embodiments. The embodiments are provided to more fullyexplain the present invention to a person skilled in the art. Thus, theshapes of elements in the drawings are exaggerated to emphasize a moreclear description.

FIG. 1 is a plane view of a substrate processing apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a substrate processing apparatus 1 includes a fluidsupply unit 10, a container 20, an elevating unit, and a spin head 40.

The fluid supply unit 10 supplies a processing solution or gas forsubstrate processing to a substrate W. The spin head 40 supports androtates the substrate W when a process is performed. The container 20prevents fluid used in a process and a fume emitted during a processfrom becoming spattered or flowing outwards. The elevating unit 30vertically moves the spin head 40 or the container 20 and changes therelative height between the container 20 and the spin head 40 in thecontainer 20.

The fluid supply unit 10 has an upper nozzle member 100 a and a lowernozzle member 100 b (of FIG. 4). The upper nozzle member 100 a suppliesa processing solution or gas to the top of the substrate W on the spinhead 40, and the lower nozzle member 100 b supplies a processingsolution or gas to the bottom of the substrate W over the spin head 40.The substrate W is placed over the spin head 40 to be a certain distancefrom the upper surface of the spin head 40, and the lower nozzle member100 b supplies the processing solution or gas to the space between thespin head 40 and the substrate W.

The upper nozzle member 100 a has a fluid supply nozzle 120 a, arinse-solution supply nozzle 140 a and a dry-gas supply nozzle 160 a.The chemical-solution supply nozzle 120 a supplies a plurality of kindsof chemical solutions downwards. The chemical-solution supply nozzle 120a has a plurality of sprays 121, a support bar 122, and a bar movingunit 125. The sprays 121 are arranged on one side of the container 20.The sprays 121 are connected to a chemical-solution storage unit (notshown) and receive chemical-solutions from the chemical-solution storageunit. Each spray 121 is connected to chemical-solution storage unitsthat store different kinds of chemical-solutions. The sprays 121 arearranged side by side in one direction. Each spray 121 may have aprotrusion 121 a that protrudes upwards, and a recess (not shown) may beformed in a side of the protrusion 121 a. Chemical-solutions may besulfuric acid, nitric acid, ammonia, hydrofluoric acid and mixed fluidsthat is formed by mixing them with deionized water. A discharge hole isformed at the end of each spray 121.

The support bar 122 may be coupled to any one of the plurality of sprays121. The support bar 122 may move to the upper part of the substrate Wthat is placed over the spin head 40. The support bar 122 has a long rodshape and is arranged so that the length direction of the support bar122 is perpendicular to a direction in which the sprays 121 arearranged. A holder (not shown) for coupling to the spray 121 is providedon the bottom of the support bar 122, and the holder has arms (not shownthat may be inserted into the recess formed in the protrusion 121 a ofthe spray 121. The arms may be provided with a structure in which theymay rotate or move from the outside of the protrusion 121 a toward therecess of the protrusion 121 a.

The bar moving unit 125 linearly moves the support bar 122 between theupper part of the substrate W over the spin head 40 and the upper partsof the sprays 121. The bar moving unit 125 has a bracket 123, a guiderail 124, and a driver (not shown). The guide rail 124 is linearlyextended from the outside of the sprays 121 to the spray 121, and to theoutside of the container 20 passing by the container 20. The bracket 123is coupled to the guide rail 124 along which the bracket 123 may move,and the support bar 122 is coupled and fixed to the bracket 123. Thedriver provides a driving force that linearly moves the bracket 123. Thelinear movement of the bracket 123 may be performed by an assembly thathas a motor and a screw. Selectively, the linear movement of the bracket123 may be performed by an assembly that has a belt, a pulley and amotor. Selectively, the linear movement of the bracket 123 may beperformed by a linear motor.

The rinse-solution supply nozzle 140 a is arranged on one side of thecontainer 20, and the dry-gas supply nozzle 160 a is arranged on theother side of the container 20. The rinse-solution supply nozzle 140 ahas a spray 141, a support bar 142, and a driver 144. The spray 141 iscoupled and fixed to one end of the support bar 142. A rotation axis(not shown) rotated by the driver 144 is coupled and fixed to the otherend of the support bar 142. The spray 141 receives a rinse solution fromthe rinse-solution storage unit (not shown). The dry-gas supply nozzle160 a has a generally similar structure to the rinse-solution supplynozzle 140 a. The dry-gas supply nozzle 160 a supplies isopropyl alcoholand a nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas may be a heated nitrogen gas.

The chemical-solution, rinse-solution and dry gas supplied from theupper nozzle member 100 a and the lower nozzle member 100 b are spreadfrom the central region of the top or bottom of the substrate W to theedge thereof by the rotation of the spin head 40 to clean the substrateW.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a substrate processingapparatus, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view of acontainer.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the container 20 has a space 32 which has anopen top and in which the substrate W is processed, and the spin head 40is arranged in the space 32. The rotation axis 42 that supports androtates the spin head 40 is coupled and fixed to the bottom of the spinhead 40. The rotation axis 42 protrudes to the outside of the container20 through an opening formed in the bottom of the container 20. Thedriver such as a motor that provides torque is coupled and fixed to therotation axis 42. An axis housing 43 surrounds the externalcircumferential surface of the rotation axis 42.

The container 20 has a structure in which chemical-solutions used in aprocess may be separated and collected. This enables chemical-solutionsto be re-used. The container 20 has a plurality of collection tanks 220,240 and 260. Each collection tank 220, 240 or 260 collects differentkinds of processing solutions among processing solutions used in aprocess. In the present embodiment, the container 20 has threecollection tanks. Collection tanks are referred to as an internalcollection tank 220, an intermediate collection tank 240, and anexternal collection tank, respectively.

The internal collection tank is provided in the shape of a circular ringsurrounding the spin head 40, the intermediate collection tank 240 isprovided in the shape of a circular ring surrounding the internalcollection tank 220, and the external collection tank 260 is provided inthe shape of a circular ring surrounding the intermediate collectiontank 240. The collection tanks 220, 240 and 260 have, in the container20, inlets 227, 247 and 267, respectively communicating with the space42 in the container 20. Each inlet 227, 247, or 267 is provided in theshape of a ring on the circumference the spin head 40.Chemical-solutions sprayed to the substrate W and used in a processflows into the collection tanks 220, 240, and 260 through the inlets227, 247, and 267 by centrifugal force due to the rotation of thesubstrate W. The inlet 267 of the external collection tank 260 isprovided over the inlet 247 of the intermediate collection tank 240, andthe inlet 247 of the intermediate collection tank 240 is provided overthe inlet 227 of the internal collection tank 220. That is, the inlets227, 247 and 267 of the internal collection tank 220, the intermediatecollection tank 240, and the external collection tank 260 are providedso that they have different heights.

The internal collection tank 220 has an external wall 222, a bottom wall224, an internal wall 226, and a guide wall 228. Each of the externalwall 222, the bottom wall 224, the internal wall 226, and the guide wall228 has a ring shape. The external wall 222 has a slope wall 222 asloping to be away from the spin head 40 and a vertical wall 222 bextended vertically downwards from the lower end of the slope wall 222a. The bottom wall 224 is extended horizontally from the lower end ofthe vertical wall 222 b toward the spin head 40. The end of the bottomwall 224 is extended to the same location to the upper end of the slopewall 222 a. The internal wall 226 is extended vertically upwards fromthe internal end of the bottom 224. The internal wall 226 is extended toa location at which the upper end of the internal wall 226 is a certaindistance from the upper end of the slope wall 222 a. The space betweenthe internal wall 226 and the slope wall 222 a functions as the inlet227 of the internal collection tank 220 as described above.

A plurality of openings 223 is formed on the internal wall 226 to form aring. Each opening 223 is provided in a slit shape. The opening 223functions as an exhaust hole that enables gases flowing into theinternal collection tank 220 to be externally discharged through a lowerspace in the spin head 40. A discharge pipe 225 is coupled to the bottomwall 224. The processing solution flowing into the internal collectiontank 220 is discharged to an external chemical-solution recycling systemthrough the discharge pipe 225.

The guide wall 228 has a slope wall 228 a sloping to be away from thespin head 40 from the upper end of the internal wall 226 and a verticalwall 228 b extended vertically downwards from the lower end of the slopewall 228 a. The lower end of the vertical wall 228 b is located to be acertain distance from the bottom wall 224. The guide wall 228 guide aprocessing solution flowing into the inlet 227 so that the processingsolution may easily flow to a space 229 surrounded by the external wall222, the bottom wall 224, and the internal wall 226.

The intermediate collection tank 240 has an external wall 242, a bottomwall 244, an internal wall 246, and a protrusion wall 248. The externalwall 242, the bottom wall 244, and the internal wall 246 of theintermediate collection tank 240 have a generally similar shape to theexternal wall 222, the bottom 224, and the internal wall 226 of theinternal collection tank 220 but the intermediate collection tank 240has a larger size compared with the internal collection tank 220 so thatthe intermediate collection tank 240 surrounds the internal collectiontank 220. The upper end of the slope wall 242 a of the external wall 242of the intermediate collection tank 240 and the upper end of the slopewall 222 a of the external wall 222 of the internal collection tank 220are located to be a certain distance in a vertical direction, and thespace functions as the inlet 247 of the intermediate collection tank240. The protrusion wall 248 is extended vertically downwards from theend of the bottom 244. The upper end of the internal wall 246 of theintermediate collection tank 240 is in contact with the end of thebottom wall 224 of the internal collection tank 220. Slit-shaped exhaustholes 243 for discharging a gas are provided on the internal wall 246 ofthe intermediate collection tank 240 to form a ring. The discharge pipe245 is coupled to the bottom wall 244, and the processing solutionflowing into the intermediate collection tank 240 is discharged to anexternal chemical-solution recycling system through the discharge pipe245.

The external collection tank 260 has an external wall 262 and a bottomwall 264. The external wall 262 of the external collection tank 260 hasa similar shape to the external wall 242 of the intermediate collectiontank 240 but has a larger size compared with the intermediate collectiontank 240 so that the external collection tank 260 surrounds theintermediate collection tank 240. The upper end of the slope wall 262 aof the external wall 262 of the external collection tank 260 and theupper end of the slope wall 242 a of the external wall 242 of theintermediate collection tank 240 are located to be a certain distance ina vertical direction, and the space functions as the inlet 267 of theexternal collection tank 260. The bottom wall 264 generally has a discshape, and an opening into which the rotation axis 42 is inserted isformed on the central part of the bottom wall 264. A discharge pipe 265is coupled to the bottom wall 264, and the processing solution flowinginto the external collection tank 260 is discharged to an externalchemical-solution recycling system through the discharge pipe 265. Theexternal collection tank 260 functions as the external wall of thecontainer 20. A discharge pipe 263 is coupled to the bottom wall 264 ofthe external collection tank 260 and the gas flowing into the externalcollection tank 260 is externally discharged through the discharge pipe263. Also, the gas flowing from the discharge hole 223 provided on theinternal wall 226 of the internal collection tank 220 and the dischargehole 243 provided on the internal wall 246 of the intermediatecollection tank 240 is externally discharged through the discharge pipe263 connected to the external collection tank 260. The discharge pipe263 is installed to protrude upwards a certain distance from the bottomwall 264.

The elevating unit 30 moves the container 20 linearly in a verticaldirection. As the container 20 vertically moves, the height of thecontainer 20 relative to the spin head 40 changes. The elevating unit 30has a bracket 31, a moving axis 34, and a driver (36). The bracket 31 isinstalled and fixed to the external wall of the container 20, and themoving axis 34 that moves in a vertical direction by the driver 36 iscoupled and fixed to the bracket 31. When the substrate W is placed onthe spin head 40 or when raising the substrate W from the spin head 40,the container 20 goes down so that the spin head 40 protrudes upwards tobe exposed from the container 20. Also, when a process is performed, theheight of the container 20 is adjusted according to the kind of aprocessing solution supplied to the substrate W so that the processingsolution may flow into the collection tanks 220, 240, and 260. On thecontrary, the elevating unit 30 may move the spin head 40 in a verticaldirection.

FIG. 4 is a plane view of a spin head, and FIG. 5 is a cross sectionalview taken along line I-I of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the spin head 40 has the lower nozzle member100 b, a body 300, support pins 400, chuck pins 500, and a chuck pinmoving unit 600.

The lower nozzle member 100 b has a spray head 180 b. The spray head 180b has a head portion 182 and an insertion portion 184. The head portion182 has a convex shape and protrudes upwards from the spin head 40. Thehead portion 182 has a plurality of jet holes. The jets spray any one ofa plurality of chemical solutions, a rinse solution, isopropyl alcoholor a dry gas such as a nitrogen gas. The insertion portion 184 has adiameter smaller than the lower end of the head portion 182 and constantin a length direction, and is extended downwards from the head portion182. The insertion portion 184 is inserted into a through hole that isformed on the central part of the spin head 40.

The support pins 400 supports the rear edge of the substrate W so thatthe substrate W is a certain distance from the top of the body 300. Thesupport pins 400 all have the same shape and size. The support pin 400has an upper portion that gradually widens progressively downward, and alower portion that is extended therefrom and has a constant diameter. Ascrew portion formed at the lower end of the support pin 400 is coupledto a recess corresponding to the screw portion on the top of the body300, so the support pin 400 is fixed to the body 300.

The chuck pin 500 is installed at the edge region of the body 300 toprotrude upwards from the top of the body 300. The chuck pin 500 may beprovided in plurality. The chuck pin 500 supports a side of thesubstrate W so that the substrate W departs laterally from a rightlocation when the spin head 40 rotates. The chuck pins 500 all have thesame shape and size. The chuck pin 500 has a support portion 520, acentral portion 540, a fastening portion 560, and a stopping portion580. The support portion 520 has a diameter that gradually narrowsprogressively downward form its flat top and then gradually widensprogressively downward. Thus, the support portion 520 has a concaveportion 522 that is concave when viewed from the front. A side of thesubstrate W on the support pin 400 is in contact with the concaveportion 522. The central portion 540 is extended downwards from thelower end of the support portion 520 with the same diameter to the lowerend. The fastening portion 560 is extended downwards from the centralportion 540. The fastening portion 560 has a screw hole for coupling tothe chuck pin moving unit 600. The stopping portion 580 is extendedoutwards from the central portion 540 and is provided in a ring shape.The stopping portion 580 is in close contact with the upper surface ofthe body 300 and enables the chuck pins 500 all to have the same height.

The body 300 has an upper plate 320 and a lower plate 340. The upperplate 320 generally has a circular top when viewed from the top. Thelower plate 340 is arranged under the upper plate 320 and provides aspace in which the chuck pin moving unit 600 is arranged. The edgeregion of the upper plate 320 has a pin hole 322 into which the chuckpins 500 are inserted. Each pin hole 322 has a slit shape. The pin hole322 is formed so that its length direction follows the radial directionof the upper plate 320. The width of the pin hole 322 is formed to beequal to or rather wider than the diameter of the central portion 540 ofthe chuck pin 500, and the length of the pin hole 322 is formed to becapable of guiding a movement to the radial direction of the chuck pin500. The length of the pin hole 322 may be shorter than the diameter ofthe stopping portion 580 of the chuck pin 500. Alternatively, the pinehole 322 may have a circular shape. In this case, the diameter of thepin hole 322 may be longer than the diameter of the central portion 540of the chuck pin 500 and shorter than the diameter of the stoppingportion 580. Through holes into which the above-described spray head 180b is inserted is formed in the central portions of the upper plate 320and the lower plate 340.

The chuck pin moving unit 600 has a moving rod 620, a guide member 640,and a cam 720.

The chuck pin moving unit 600 moves the chuck pin 500 between a supportlocation and a standby location. The support location indicates alocation at which the chuck pins 500 are in contact with a side of thesubstrate W when a process is performed, and the standby locationindicates a location at which a space wider than the substrate W isprovided so that the substrate W may be placed on the spin head 40.Thus, the support location is closer to the central portion of the body300 compared with the standby location.

Since the upper place 320 is exposed to a chemical solution when aprocess is performed, the upper plate 320 is made of a material havingcorrosion resistance to the chemical solution. Also, the lower plate 340is made of a heat-resistant material so that the setting location of thechuck pin 500 does not go wrong due to the thermal inflation of thelower plate 340 when a process is performed, by supplying ahigh-temperature chemical solution to the substrate W. In the presentinvention, the upper plate 320 is made of a material more resistant tocorrosion compared with the lower plate 340, and the lower plate 340 ismade of a material having less thermal strain compared with the upperplate 320. According to an example, the upper plate 320 is made of apolyvinyl chloride material and the lower plate 340 is made of analuminum material.

The upper plate 320 has a side portion 321 extended downwards from theedge. The side portion 321 includes a through hole 329 that is formedinwards from the external surface. The through hole 329 is connected tothe pin hole 322. A lower hole 323 is formed upwards from the bottom ofthe side portion 321. A hole 324 is formed outwards from the internalpart of the side portion 321. The pin hole 322, the lower hole 323, thehole 324, and the through hole 329 are provided to be connected oneanother.

The moving rod 620 has the same number as the chuck pin 500 and onechuck pin 500 is coupled to each moving rod 620. The moving rod 620 isarranged in a space formed between the upper plate 320 and the lowerplate 340 in the same direction as the radial direction of the body 300.One external end of the moving rod 620 is located in the hole 324. Ascreen recess 628 is formed at one external end of the moving rod 620,and the chuck pin 500 and the moving rod 620 are coupled and fixed eachother by a screw 590. Also, a sealing member 330 that surrounds themoving rod 620 and seals a space among an outside, the upper plate 320and the lower plate 340 is installed in the hole 324. An O-ring is usedas the sealing member 330. The moving rod 620 has a rolling ball 622 atan internal end. The rolling ball 622 is coupled to the moving rod 620to be capable of rotating with respect to the moving rod 620.

The guide member 640 that guides so that the moving rod 620 linearlymoves in a radial direction is provided on the moving path of eachmoving rod 620. A sliding bearing may be used as the guide member 640.The sliding bearing is coupled and fixed to the body 300.

The moving rod 620 is in touch with the cam 720. The cam 720 linearlymoves by a cam driver (not shown). The linear movement of the cam 720 istransferred to the moving rod 620. Thus, according to the movement ofthe moving rod 620, the chuck pin 500 is located at the support locationor the standby location.

FIG. 6 is a plane view of a shaft housing portion while a spin head isseparated, and FIG. 7 shows enlarged views of portion Z of FIG. 5 and abottom cleaning member placed thereunder. { }

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, bottom cleaning members 80 are provided underthe spin head 40. The bottom cleaning member 80 includes a support arm81 and cleaning nozzles 82 a and 82 b.

The support arm 81 is located to be a certain distance from the bottomof the spin head 40. As an example, the support arm 81 may be providedto be extended from the external circumferential surface of the axishousing 43 toward the container 20. Also, the support arm 81 may beprovided to be extended from the internal circumferential surface of thecontainer 20 toward the axis housing 43. A plurality of support arms 81may be provided which is a certain distance from one another.

The cleaning nozzles 82 a and 82 b are located at the support arm 81 toface the bottom of the spin head 40. The cleaning nozzles 82 a and 82 bare connected to a cleaning-solution supply unit (not shown) through aline (not shown). The cleaning nozzles 82 a and 82 b include a firstcleaning nozzle 82 a and a second cleaning nozzle 82 b.

The first cleaning nozzle 82 a may be provided so that a jet throughwhich a cleaning solution is sprayed may be located under the lower hole323. That is, the distance between the central axis of the spin head 40and the lower hole 323 may be equal to the distance between the centralaxis of the spin head 40 and the jet of the first cleaning nozzle 82 a.Also, the first cleaning nozzle 82 a may be equal to the chuck pin 500in number. In addition, in order that the first cleaning nozzles 82 amay be together located at the lower hole 323, the support arms 81 maybe provided to have the same distance as the distance of adjacent chuckpins 500.

The second cleaning nozzle 82 b is provided to be located at the centralpart of the spin head 40 relative to the first cleaning nozzle 82 a.

FIG. 8 represents when a cleaning solution is sprayed form a bottomcleaning member.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, the cleaning nozzles 82 a and 82 b of thebottom cleaning member 80 spray a cleaning solution to the bottom of thespin head 40. The bottom cleaning member 80 may spray a cleaningsolution when there is no substrate on the spin head 40. Also, thebottom cleaning member 80 may also spray the cleaning solution while asubstrate placed on the spin head 40 is processed.

The cleaning solution may be deionized water (DIW). While the cleaningwater is sprayed, the spin head 40 may rotate. When the lower hole 323is located at the upper part of the first cleaning nozzle 82 a with therotation of the spin head 40, the cleaning solution sprayed from thefirst cleaning nozzle 82 a is sprayed directly to the lower part of thechuck pin 500 through the lower hole 323. The cleaning solution may besprayed to the internal wall of the container 20 through the throughhole 329 after cleaning the lower part of the chuck pin 500. Thecleaning solution sprayed from the second cleaning nozzle 82 b cleansthe bottom of the spin head 40. Also, the cleaning solution sprayed fromthe cleaning nozzles 82 a and 82 b to the bottom of the spin head 40 maybe spattered toward the container 20 with the rotation of the spin head40 and clean the internal wall of the container 20.

A processing solution supplied from the fluid supply unit 10 forprocessing a substrate may be sprayed at a high temperature. As anexample, when the processing solution is sulfuric acid, the sulfuricacid is sprayed at a temperature of 140° C. to 200° C. Also, when theprocessing solution supplied from the fluid supply unit 10 includes anacidic solution and a basic solution, a salt may be made by the reactionof these solutions. Such a salt is attached to the spin head 40 or thecontainer 20. Such a salt may be attached to the substrate W to beprocessed later and thus cause a defect. Also, these solutions may flowinto the pin hole 322 and thus generate a fume from the lower part ofthe chuck pin 500 or the moving rod 620. Also, due to the thermal strainof the spin head 40, the chuck pin 500 may not be in close contact witha side of the substrate.

The cleaning solution sprayed from the bottom cleaning member 80 cleansthe fume generated from the lower part of the chuck pin 500. Also, thecleaning solution may be sprayed at a lower temperature than sulfuricacid. When the cleaning solution is sprayed to the lower hole 323 andthe body 300, the chuck pin 500 and the body 300 are cooled. Thus, thethermal strain of the spin head 40 may be prevented or the level of thethermal strain decreases. Also, the cleaning solution is sprayed towardthe internal wall of the container 20 and thus cleans the internal wallof the container 20. As an example, the cleaning solution may be sprayedat room temperatures.

FIGS. 9 to 11 represent when a rinse-solution supply nozzle cleans aspin head and a container.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the rinse-solution supply nozzle 140 a mayperform cleaning on the spin head 40 and the container 20.

The rinse-solution supply nozzle 140 a sprays a rinse solution to thespin head 40, while there is no substrate W on the spin head 40. Therinse solution sprayed to the spin head 40 may perform cleaning on thetop of the spin head 40, the support pins 400 and the chuck pins 500. Atarget to be cleaned by the rinse solution may be a salt generated bythe reaction of processing solutions. While the rinse solution issupplied, the spin head 40 may rotate. With the rotation of the spinhead 40, the rinse solution may be sprayed from the top of the spin head40 toward the internal wall of the container 20. The rinse solutionsprayed to the container 20 cleans the internal wall of the container20. Cleaning by the rinse-solution supply nozzle 140 a may be performedsimultaneously with the cleaning by the bottom cleaning member 80. Also,cleaning by the rinse-solution supply nozzle 140 a may also be performedseparately from the cleaning by the bottom cleaning member 80.

The rinse-solution supply nozzle 140 a may supply the rinse solution toa location deviating from the central part of the spin head 40. Inparticular, the rinse-solution supply nozzle 140 a may supply the rinsesolution while a spray is located at a location deviating from the upperpart of the lower nozzle member. Thus, a flow of the rinse solutionsprayed from the rinse-solution supply nozzle 140 a into the lowernozzle 100 b may be minimized. Also, a centrifugal force applied to therinse solution increases due to the rotation of the spin head 40, so thespeed of the rinse solution sprayed to the internal wall of thecontainer 200 may increase. An increase in speed of the rinse solutionsprayed enhances the cleanliness of the internal wall of the container20.

While the rinse solution is sprayed, the spin head 40 may alternatelyrotate counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 10 and clockwise as shown inFIG. 11. When the spin head 40 rotates counterclockwise, the rinsesolution is mainly sprayed to the internal wall of the container 20 ofregion A from the spin head 40. In addition, when the spin head 40rotates clockwise, the rinse solution is mainly sprayed to the internalwall of the container 20 of region B from the spin head 40.

FIG. 12 represents a shaft housing on which a bottom cleaning memberaccording to another embodiment is provided.

Referring to FIG. 12, the bottom cleaning member 90 includes a supportarm 91 and a secondary support arm 95.

The support arm 91 is provided to have a length corresponding to theradius of the spin head 40. The support arm 91 may be provided inplurality along the circumference of the axis housing 43. The supportarm 91 is provided with a first cleaning nozzle 92 a and a secondcleaning nozzle 92 b.

The secondary support arm 95 is shorter than the support arm 91. Thesecondary support arm 95 may be provided in plurality along thecircumference of the axis housing 43. Also, each secondary support arm95 may be located between adjacent supports. The secondary support arm95 is provided with the second cleaning nozzle 92 b.

Since the location and operation of the first cleaning nozzle 92 a andthe second cleaning nozzle 92 b relative to the spin head 40 are thesame as those of the bottom cleaning member 80 in FIG. 6, repetitivedescriptions are left out.

As another embodiment, the second nozzle provided with the support arm91 may be left out.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible toclean the spin head and the container.

The detailed descriptions above show examples of the present invention.Also, the above description represents exemplary embodiments and thepresent invention may be used under various different combinations,changes and environments. That is, it is possible to make a change ormodification within the scope of the concept of the invention disclosedherein, within a scope equivalent to the disclosure and/or within thescope of the technique or knowledge of the related art. Theabove-described embodiments are provided with best mode for implementingthe technical spirit of the present invention and various changes neededfor the particular applications and use of the present invention mayalso be implemented. Thus, the detailed description of the invention isnot intended to limit the present invention to the embodimentsdisclosed. Also, the following claims should be construed to includeother embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for processing a substrate, theapparatus comprising: a spin head on which a substrate is placed; acontainer provided to surround the spin head; an upper nozzle membersupplying a processing solution downwards; a bottom cleaning memberlocated to be a certain distance from the bottom of the spin head,wherein the bottom cleaning member sprays a cleaning solution to thebottom of the spin head.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottomcleaning member comprises: a support arm located to be a certaindistance from the bottom of the spin head; and a first cleaning nozzleprovided on the support arm to face the bottom of the spin head.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the bottom cleaning member furthercomprises a second cleaning nozzle that is provided on the support armto be located on the central part of the spin head with respect to thefirst cleaning nozzle.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bottomcleaning member further comprises: a secondary support arm located to bea certain distance from the bottom of the spin head, wherein thesecondary support arm is shorten than the support arm; and a secondcleaning nozzle provided on the secondary support arm to be closer tothe central part of the spin head than the first cleaning nozzle.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the spin head comprises: a body on whichthe substrate is placed; a chuck pin installed on the body to protrudeupwards from the body; and a chuck pin moving unit connected to thelower part of the chuck pin to drive the chuck pin.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the body comprises a pin hole located to be capable ofmoving the chuck pin, and a lower hole connected to the pin hole, thepin hole being formed on the top of the body and the lower hole beingformed on the lower part of the body.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the distance between the first cleaning nozzle and the centralaxis of the spin head is equal to the distance between the lower holeand the central axis of the spin head.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7,wherein the body comprises a through hole connected to the pin hole andthe lower hole, the through hole being formed on a side of the body. 9.A method of cleaning a apparatus, the method comprising: spraying acleaning solution, from a location having a certain distance form thebottom of a spin head rotatably placed in a container having an opentop, to the bottom of a spin head, to clean a salt attached to thebottom of the spin head.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the sprayingof the cleaning solution is performed while a substrate is placed on thespin head.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the spraying of thecleaning solution is performed when the spin head rotates.
 12. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the spraying of the cleaning solution isperformed simultaneously on locations which have different radii fromthe central part of the spin head.
 13. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising supplying a rinse solution downwards to the top of the spinhead to perform cleaning on the top of the spin head and the containertogether.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the rinse solution issupplied to a location deviating from the central part of the spin head.15. The method of claim 14, wherein the spin head alternately rotates indifferent directions while the rinse solution is supplied.